For the past couple days, Shadow has been bringing sticks and fluff, sometimes multiple times in a short period to try and win Jackie off the eggs so he could take over his daddy-duty…sometimes it worked, sometimes not.
Yesterday afternoon, he tried a different method—this time he brought a fully intact fish, head and all, and laid it right in front of Jackie. Then he waited next to it, ready.
Jackie started softly crying immediately for the fish and continued crying for a while as she looked at the fish but did not make a move…almost as if she suspected that taking the fish might be bit of a trap. She had to decide if she was hungry enough to get up from the eggs.
Shadow continued waiting patiently…and finally, Jackie could not resist. She picked up the fish and dragged it away from Shadow’s reach.
Then she carefully stood up from the eggs to climb out of the bowl and carry the fish to the side of the nest. With it fully out of Shadow’s reach, she hovered protectively over the fish while she ate…you never know when someone might come in and try to take it.
Shadow waited a moment, watching Jackie. Then, while Jackie stayed focused on the fish, Shadow moved slowly around the other side of the nest bowl toward the eggs. After waiting another moment, he ever so stealthily slipped onto the eggs behind Jackie. – even though he’s used this little maneuver many times in the past, probably this time was just a nice coincidence and not fully planned ahead of time!
When Jackie finished eating, she turned around to discover her predicament of having been replaced on the eggs. She may have just been too full to argue about it, but she simply decided it was a good time for a break, turned and flew off without a comment…
…and Shadow’s little maneuver had won him the daddy-duty time he wanted. Jackie’s reward was a good lunch and a nice break.
For those asking, pip-watch, looking for signs of the hatching process, starts this Thursday, February 29, Leap Day. Stay tuned!
Sandy

Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) https://friendsofbigbearvalley.org/
Official Facebook Page:   / fobbv  
Official Facebook Group:   / fobbv